Programmable energy saving register vent

ABSTRACT

A programmable vent for a duct used with a building environmental air temperature control system. The programmable vent includes a vent housing with a front face which has an inset, where the vent housing is configured to allow air flow from the duct. At least one louver is movably connected to the vent housing, an actuator is connected to the at least one louver, a controller module is removably attached to the vent housing and positioned in the inset, the controller module being connected to the actuator when positioned in the inset.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a non-provisional application which claims the priority benefitof U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/815,702, entitled“PROGRAMMABLE ENERGY SAVING REGISTER VENT”, filed Jun. 22, 2006; andU.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/837,155, entitled“PROGRAMMABLE ENERGY SAVING REGISTER VENT”, filed Aug. 11, 2006.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to building environmental air temperaturecontrol systems, and, more particularly, to programmable duct vents forsuch systems.

2. Description of the Related Art

Known heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems caninclude a thermostatically controlled furnace unit connected to ducts,where the ducts terminate in louvered vents. An air conditioningcompressor with an evaporator coil is connected to the furnace unit. Forheating, a blower circulates air across a heat exchanger/burner withinthe furnace unit where the circulated air is heated, and then into ductswhich are routed to various rooms and/or locations within a building.For cooling, the air conditioner compressor circulates a refrigerantthrough the chilled coil, which coil is routed into the furnace so theblower can circulate air across the chilled coil, which cools the air.The cooled air is similarly circulated into the same ducts whichcorrespondingly provide cooling/air conditioning to the variouslocations within a building. The vents are placed at the terminus of theducts, and can also be placed along a duct, as may occur with arelatively long overhead duct such as in a basement or industrialfacility. The louvers on the vents can direct the air, and the vent caninclude cross louvers with a manual lever which a user can adjust toshut off the vent or partially diminish the air flow exiting the vent.

The system described above is typically considered a forced air system.Other types of systems are known such as a gravity system which does notinclude a blower and where a furnace is located in a basement, and asthe burner/heat exchanger warms the surrounding air, the physicallylighter or less dense nature of the warmed air naturally rises throughducts and out vents in corresponding rooms or locations located abovethe burner/heat exchanger. In a home environment which includes agravity system, cooling can be provided by window air conditioners orwhole house fans, for example.

Increasing energy costs have resulted in an increasing interest amongbuilding owners and homeowners to reduce heating and cooling costs.Heating and cooling costs can be reduced through the installation ofadditional insulation and other related products, and the installationof energy efficient furnaces, air conditioners, hot water heaters, andother appliances. Although these are effective ways of reducing heatingand cooling costs, there can be a high capital cost associated with suchinstallations, and a significant inconvenience to the building occupantsduring installation.

Another way of lowering energy costs is to lower the thermostat settingduring heating periods, or raise the thermostat setting during coolingperiods. This method has the disadvantage of reducing the comfort of thebuilding environment.

There typically may not be a need to heat or cool an entire building atany given time. If rooms or locations within a building can beselectively heated or cooled depending on use, then energy costs can bereduced because the heating and/or cooling system is conditioning asmaller volume of space. For example, in the daytime the bedrooms maynot need to cooled or heated, depending on the season, as they are nottypically in use; whereas, if someone is at home, the general livingareas such as a kitchen, living room, bathroom, family room, etc., maystill need heating or cooling during the day. Similarly, the bedroomsmay need to be cooled or heated in the nighttime, when the generalliving areas do not require such environmental conditioning.

For a typical known heating, ventilation and/or cooling system, thefurnace blower circulates air into all of the vents simultaneously, ornearly simultaneously, and thereby heats or cools the entire building.If the homeowner or other occupant wants to diminish conditioned airflow into a room or rooms which are not currently used to reduce energycosts, they must manually close the louvers in the vent(s) associatedwith the room(s). This is a tedious and time consuming process.Additionally, when a person may be in a hurry to leave the building orhome, as when leaving for work, it is easy to overlook the need toadjust the vents, which problem is exacerbated if there are numerousvents to open or close.

Systems are known in which motorized dampers are installed in thevarious ducts. The dampers are controlled by the furnace, or other,controller, which functionality can be selected by the user, i.e., theopening and closing of the dampers for various rooms can be controlled.Although this system can effectively provide selectable temperaturecontrol for the various rooms or locations within a building, there areseveral disadvantages. Firstly, the system requires relatively expensivemodified ductwork including the motorized dampers and wiring thereto,which is even more costly to retrofit into an existing system as theducts may be hidden in walls, floors or ceilings, thereby requiringmodification of the structure with the attendant inconvenience, mess andexpense. Additionally, the furnace controller, or other controller,needs to be compatible with the motorized dampers, and existing systemsgenerally do not have this capability, which then requires a new furnacewhen an HVAC system is retrofitted, which again is a very costlyexpense. Further, the installation or retrofitting of such systemstypically requires professional installation technicians, with theirattendant cost and scheduling issues, and is therefore not easilyaccomplished by a typical homeowner as a do-it-yourself project. Yetfurther, maintenance of such a system can be costly in that if amotorized damper fails to operate properly there may not be easy accessto the motor/damper because the ductwork and damper system is typicallyinstalled within a structural component such as a floor, ceiling and/orwall, which structural component is damaged and subsequently repairedduring the installation/repair process.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,659,359 discloses a motorized vent which includes atemperature sensor, a battery, a driving motor, an electronic circuitboard, a signal receiver, and so on, which are accommodated in the venthousing. The motor actuates an eccentric rotary arm and an engagingmember for actuating the dampers. A wireless remote controller isprovided with opening and closing buttons and a plurality of mode selectbuttons. If it is determined that the manipulating signal is from a modeselect button, the control part compares the temperature range presetaccording to the select mode in the microcomputer with the currentindoor temperature and based upon that compared results, drives thedriving motor such that the dampers rotate open and closed. Onedisadvantage of this system is that it requires a wireless receiver inthe vent which can be susceptible to noise and interference, forexample, and less cost effective to manufacture as the programming unitdoes require the receiver. Other disadvantages of this system are thatit requires temperature sensor, and opens and closes the dampers basedon a preset temperature, instead of a time of day. Further, theeccentric rotary arm and engaging member for actuating the dampers issusceptible to bending.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,837,786 discloses a programmable remote-control motionvent outlet where a motor actuates vent blades via a driving arm. Theunit includes a signal receiver on the vent and electrically connectedto the motor and a handheld controller wirelessly communicating with thesignal receiver to control the rotational movements of the vent blades.A display screen is provided on the handheld controller wherein the useris allowed to program the open and close times of the ventilation guideas a time setting to the timer circuit while the time setting isdisplayed on the display screen of the handheld controller. Again, thissystem requires a wireless receiver in the vent which can be susceptibleto noise and interference, for example, and less cost effective tomanufacture as the programming unit does require the receiver.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,692,349 discloses a computer-controlled air vent whichis remotely operated by a wireless wall-mounted controller located inthe same room as the vent. A motor actuates the louvers via aconfiguration of cams, bars and arms. In addition to requiring areceiver in the vent, this system additionally has the disadvantage ofrequiring a fairly complicated configuration of cams, bars and armswhich can be unreliable, and which can also be a fairly inefficientmeans of energy transfer.

Other examples of programmable register vents include U.S. Pat. Nos.4,969,508, 5,833,134; and U.S. Patent Application Nos. 2004/0159713,2004/0166797 and 2004/0176022.

Notwithstanding these developments, there is needed in the art is animproved device and method of individually controlling conditioned airflow in separate rooms or locations within a building, and which isrelatively easy and cost effective to install and maintain.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a programmable vent for a buildingenvironmental air temperature control system, which vent can beprogrammed to open and close at selected times during the day, and whichmotor controls and circuit board, display, user input device, batteriesand associated wiring are integrated into a single removable unit forease of programming, which are snapped into/out of the vent housing andconnected to the motor via terminals.

The invention comprises, in one form thereof, a programmable vent for aduct used with a building environmental air temperature control system.The programmable vent includes a vent housing with a front face whichhas an inset, where the vent housing is configured to allow air flowfrom the duct. At least one louver is movably connected to the venthousing, an actuator is connected to the at least one louver, acontroller module is removably attached to the vent housing andpositioned in the inset, the controller module being connected to theactuator when positioned in the inset.

In other aspects of the present invention the actuator includes anelectric motor, and the controller module is electrically connected tothe electric motor when positioned in the inset. The controller modulecan include a circuit board with motor controls connected to theelectric motor, and further includes a display, user input device,batteries and associated wiring all electrically connected to thecircuit board.

The invention comprises, in another form thereof, a programmable ventfor a duct used with a building environmental air temperature controlsystem. The programmable vent includes a vent housing configured toallow air flow from the duct, at least one louver movably connected tothe vent housing, an electric motor connected to the at least onelouver, a first plurality of electrical terminals connected to theelectric motor and fixedly connected to the vent housing, and acontroller module removably attached to the vent housing. The controllermodule includes a controller housing and a controller unit within thecontroller housing, where the controller unit has a second plurality ofelectrical terminals resiliently contacting the first plurality ofelectrical terminals.

In other aspects of the present invention the controller unit includes acircuit board with motor controls connected to the second plurality ofterminals. The controller module can further have a display, user inputdevice, batteries and associated wiring all electrically connected tothe circuit board. The controller housing can be in a snap fitarrangement with the vent housing. The snap fit arrangement includes atleast one resilient ramped projection connected to the controllerhousing, and at least one detent in the vent housing. The at least oneresilient ramped projection is insertable in a corresponding detent whenthe controller housing is in the snap fit arrangement with the venthousing. The vent housing further includes a frame in which thecontroller module is inserted, and the frame includes at least oneaccess aperture for accessing the controller module. A rack and piniongear set can be connected between the electric motor and the at leastone louver, where the rack and pinion gear set includes at least onepinion gear connected to a corresponding louver and the motor, and arack gear slidably connected to the vent housing.

In further aspects, the present invention can include a temperaturesensor which provides a temperature input to the controller module,where the controller module senses the temperature input. Thetemperature sensor can be in wireless communication with the controllermodule.

In further aspects, the present invention can include an infrared sensorproviding an infrared input to the controller module, where thecontroller module senses the infrared input. The infrared sensor can bein wireless communication with the controller module.

The invention comprises, in yet another form thereof, a buildingenvironmental air temperature control system which includes at least oneof a heating system and a cooling system, at least one duct connected toat least one of the heating system and/or cooling system, and aprogrammable vent, according to the present invention, connected to acorresponding duct.

The invention comprises, in yet another form thereof, a method ofcontrolling air flow within a building environmental air temperaturecontrol system, which includes the steps of: providing a programmablevent including a housing, at least one louver movably connected to thehousing, an actuator connected to the at least one louver, and acontroller connected to the actuator; connecting the programmable ventto a duct associated with the building environmental air temperaturecontrol system; reinstalling the controller module into the programmablevent; and selectively controlling an air flow exiting the duct using theprogrammable vent.

An advantage of the present invention is that it provides an energysaving floor, ceiling and/or wall register vent that allows users toshut off the flow of heat or air conditioning in select rooms via aninternal controller.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides amulti-zone heating and cooling system that allows users to shut downrooms at programmed times to reduce the amount of energy wasted onheating or cooling inactive areas of the home

Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it providesenergy savings, so that the cost of the item can be recovered throughenergy savings in a relatively short time.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is that multipleprogrammable vents can be easily installed and customized to aparticular building and user requirements to maximize the energy savingspotential.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it is relativelyeasy and cost effective to install.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it is relativelyeasy and cost effective to maintain.

Yet other advantages of the present invention are that it is provided inmultiple styles, sizes, colors and finishes (such as wood grain, brass,uniform color) to match with the home or building décor and/or ductworksize(s) and locations.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it does notrequire professional installation.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it is suitablefor do-it-yourself projects.

Yet other advantages of the present invention are that it provides abattery operated DC (direct current) programmable vent fixture thatregulates air flow and therefore does not require connection to the AC(alternating current) power and associated wiring.

Yet other advantages of the present invention are that it can be auniversal fit programmable register vent that can be used on floor, walland ceiling to regulate air flow and reduce energy consumption in thehome or other type of building.

Yet other advantages of the present invention are that it is aprogrammable vent fixture that allows a user to create heating andcooling sub zones without having to modify the components of theircurrent heating and cooling system such as the furnace, air conditioningand ductwork.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it can provide adecorative screw plug to hide grill holes when the unit is used as afloor register vent, or on the wall or ceiling.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it provides andopening and closing louver system controlled by a timing device orthermostat device or both.

Yet other advantages of the present invention are that it can provide anopening and closing vent system that uses a gear box drive motor orsolenoid to move a louver or another piece of material that blocks theflow of air.

Yet other advantages of the present invention are that it can provide adigital, multiple day, programmable vent fixture that regulates air flowto reduce energy consumption in the home.

Yet other advantages of the present invention are that it provides amanual override feature that allows a user to open the vent anytimewithout interrupting the programmed open and close timed events.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it can provide anautomatic override reset feature that closes and opens the vent on thenext programmed cycle.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it provides awireless temperature sensor which can relay temperature data to theprogrammable vent, which temperature data can be used to override theprogrammed vent opening, if desired.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it provides atwo-in-one housing which integrates the vent grill and programmablecomponents.

Yet other advantages of the present invention are that it provides ahousing design which is interchangeable with existing conventionalvents, and which is compatible with plastic, metal, wood or other gridsor grills.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it provides aremovable programmable timer/control module which is easily removed andreinstalled from the programmable vent to allow a handheld, or other,programming of the module and corresponding vent without removing thevent from the wall, ceiling, conduit and/or other structure to which itis attached.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it provides aremovable programmable timer/control module which can be programmed orreprogrammed without the need for an awkward positioning of the user,such as kneeling or squatting in a low position to access a vent whichmay be installed near the floor, or standing on a ladder to access aceiling mounted vent.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it provides aremovable programmable timer/control module which is easily removed fromthe programmable vent to allow for easy replacement of the batterieswithout the need to remove the vent from wall, ceiling, conduit and/orother structure to which it is attached.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it provides aremovable programmable timer/control module which is easily removed fromthe programmable vent to allow easy repair or replacement of the moduleor other elements of the vent without the need to remove the vent fromwall, ceiling, conduit and/or other structure to which it is attached.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it provides aremovable programmable timer/control module which is easily removed fromthe programmable vent to allow reprogramming of a parameter withoutdisturbing the other programmed events.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention,and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and theinvention will be better understood by reference to the followingdescription of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective plan view of an embodiment of a buildingenvironmental air temperature control system according to the presentinvention, as installed in a home;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a programmable ventaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the programmable vent of FIG.2;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the controller module of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a section view taken along section line 5-5 in FIG. 2, andshown with the louvers open;

FIG. 6 is the section view of FIG. 5 but shown with the louvers closed;

FIG. 7 is a section view taken along section line 7-7 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the controller module of FIG.4; and

FIG. 9 is an electrical schematic view of an embodiment of theprogrammable vent of FIG. 2.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views. The exemplifications set out hereinillustrate one preferred embodiment of the invention, in one form, andsuch exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope ofthe invention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With initial reference to FIG. 1, there is shown a buildingenvironmental air temperature control system 10, such as an HVAC system,located in building 12. System 10 can include at least one of a heatingsystem and a cooling system, such as furnace 14 connected to airconditioning compressor 16. Furnace 14 can typically be a forced airsystem including a burner/heat exchanger unit and a blower (all notshown), or alternatively a gravity system, or other system. Further,furnace 14 can include other elements such as controls and thermostats(also not shown). At least one duct 18 is connected to furnace 14.Programmable vents 20 are connected to corresponding ducts 18. System10, and more particularly programmable vents 20, can be used during adaytime setting in a cooling, or summer, season; during a nighttimesetting in a heating, or winter, season; or other configurations, forexample: a daytime setting in a heating, or winter, season; or anighttime setting in a cooling, or summer, season. Additionalconfigurations are possible as dictated by user requirements, seasonalconditions, latitude, elevation, weather and other parameters.

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 2-9, programmable vent 20 includesa vent housing 22 and at least one louver 24 movably connected tohousing 22. Housing 22 also includes a fixed aperture plate 26. Fixedaperture plate 26 can include fins 27 which also provide a directionalcontrol of air through programmable vent 20. An actuator 28 is connectedto louvers 24 and housing 22. Actuator 28 can be in the form of a DCmotor as is shown, and/or other elements.

A first plurality of electrical terminals 30 are connected to electricmotor 28 via wires 32, and terminals 30 are fixedly connected to venthousing 22. Changing the polarity of the voltage on terminals 30reverses the rotation of the shaft of motor 28. Controller module 34 isremovably attached to vent housing 22. Controller module 34 includes acontroller housing 36 and a controller unit 38 within controller housing36. Controller unit 38 including a second plurality of electricalterminals 40 resiliently contacting motor terminals 30 when module 34 ismounted in vent housing 22. Controller unit 38 includes a circuit board42 with motor controls 44 connected to terminals 40 to operate motor 28.Controller unit 38 also includes a controller 46, such as amicroprocessor, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) and/orother programmable controller devices, and can include other electronicdevices as are shown particularly in FIG. 9.

Controller module 34 can further includes a display 48, a user inputdevice 49 which has pushbuttons 50, 52, 54 (or other switch or inputelement types, such as a touchpad), display backlight 56, batteries 58and associated wiring all electrically connected to circuit board 42 andcontroller 46. Controller module 34 can also include a front cover 60with a hinged door 62 which provides access to user input device 49, andwhen closed, prevents inadvertent programming of vent 20, and batterycover 64.

Controller housing can be in a snap fit arrangement with vent housing22. For example, the snap fit arrangement includes at least oneresilient ramped projection 66 connected to controller housing 36, andat least one detent 68 in vent housing 22. Ramped projections 66 areinsertable in a corresponding detent 68 when controller housing 36 is inthe snap fit arrangement with vent housing 22. Vent housing 22 furtherincludes a frame or inset 70 in which controller module 34 is inserted.Frame 70 includes at least one access aperture 72, or in other words afinger hole, for accessing and removing/reinstalling controller module34.

A rack and pinion gear set 74 is connected between motor 28 and louvers24. Rack and pinion gear set 74 includes at least one pinion gear 76connected to a corresponding louver 24 and motor 28, and a rack gear 78slidably connected to vent housing 22. Each of louvers 24 includes anaxis of rotation 80 which is rotatably connected to housing 22. Piniongears 76 are also rotatable about a corresponding axis of rotation 80.Motor 28 is mounted to housing 22 and the shaft of motor 28 is connectedto at least one of louvers 24 such that when the motor shaft rotates, sorotates the louver 24 and corresponding pinion gear 76. This pinion gear76 linearly actuates rack gear 78, which rotatably actuates the otherpinion gear 76 and the other louver 24. Pinion gears 76 and rack gear 78can be spur gears, although other types of gears are possible, andpinion gear 76 can be approximately partially circular, as shown, orother shapes. Although the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2-9 includes twolouvers 24, the present invention can include a single louver, or morethan two louvers, as required by the size and style of programmable vent20. As shown particularly in FIGS. 5-6, manual override lever 82 isconnected to rack gear 78, and protrudes through the front of apertureplate 26 so that a user can manually open or close louvers 24 bydisplacing lever 82 and therefore rack gear 78, which in turn rotatespinion gears 76 and corresponding louvers 24, and thereby manuallyoverrides the programmed opening and/or closing of louvers 24.

Battery holder 84 holds, and provides the electrical terminals (notshown) for connection to the batteries, which batteries are electricallyconnected to, and provide electrical power for, controller 46 and theother electronic components on circuit board 42, motor 28, display 48,display backlight 56, a user input device 49 with pushbuttons 50, 52 and54 (or other input devices) and, if needed, other electrical/electroniccomponents as required.

The vent can have a decorative screw plug system (not shown) to hidemounting holes 86 in aperture plate or grill 26. Other elements can beused in place of motor 28, such as solenoid, to move louver 24 oranother element that can block the flow of air through vent 20. Thepresent invention can include a plastic grill 26 and a plastic housing22, or other combinations of plastic, wood and metal, such as a plastichousing 22 and a metal aperture plate 26. A low battery audible alertfunction can be provided by an annunciator (not shown) and controller46. Display 48 can be a liquid crystal display (LCD) or other displaytype, and further, can include a tilting feature or element (not shown)that allows a user to adjust the LCD, or other display device, to anangle that improves visibility and the ability to program the timingfunction.

Removable controller/timer module 34 can be removed from programmablevent 20, for reprogramming, repair, and/or replacement, or replacementof the batteries, without disturbing the mechanical configuration ofprogrammable vent 20. Further, the circuit board 42 can have a backupbattery (not shown) which can maintain the programmed settings during amain battery 58 change, for a limited time.

Vent 20 according to the present invention can have a snap-fit designwhere housing 22 has recesses in which corresponding tabs of apertureplate 26 can snap into, when assembling housing 22 to aperture plate 26.Housing 22 can be assembled to aperture plate 26 using other methods ormaterials such adhesives, potting, welding, slide locking tabs onhousing 22 and aperture plate 26; and/or engaging sliding rails onhousing 22 and aperture plate 26.

Programmable vent 20 includes a display 48 and a user input device 49,both connected to controller 38. User input device 49 has a setpushbutton 50, an hour pushbutton 52, and minute pushbutton 54 as shown,and/or other devices such as touch pads, switches, knobs and the like,or other devices as required by the functionality of programmable vent20. Display 48 can include a current time indicator 88, a close timeindicator 90, and a open time indicator 92, and/or other devices asrequired by the functionality of programmable vent 20. An example of howcontroller module 34 can be programmed to open and close louvers 24 isas follows. Vents 20 may typically be installed close to the floor, orhigh up on a wall, and/or have a piece of furniture in front of thevent, or otherwise be inconveniently located. Although not strictlyrequired, as controller module 34 can be programmed while installed invent 20, the first step may typically be removing controller module 34from vent 20. The novel structure of the present invention has all ofthe moving parts which directly actuate louvers 24 remain in place invent 20 when controller module 34 is removed from vent 20, whicheliminates alignment issues, and associated breakage and wear and tear,when controller module 34 is removed/reinstalled. Press set pushbutton50 once, and the legend “12H” or “24H” flashes in current time indicator88 signifying twelve hour clock or twenty-four hour clock, respectively.Press hour pushbutton 52 to set timer in twelve hour clock format, orpress minute pushbutton 54 to set timer in twenty-four hour clockformat. Press set pushbutton 50 again and the hour and minute flashes incurrent time indicator 88. Press hour pushbutton 52 to set hours, and/orpress minute pushbutton 54 to set minutes. When finished, press setpushbutton 50 and the day will be flashing. Press hour pushbutton 52 orminute pushbutton 54 to set the current day (M-Su). Two weekday (M-F)cycles and two weekend cycles (Sa-Su) are possible. To set the close andopen time for the first weekday cycle, press and hold set pushbutton 50for two-three seconds, and the timer in controller 34 enters the CLOSEtime setting mode, and the close time flashes in close time indicator90. Press hour pushbutton 52 to set hours, and/or press minutepushbutton 54 to set minutes. After setting the close time, press setpushbutton 50 to enter the OPEN time setting mode, and the open timeflashes in open time indicator 92. Press hour pushbutton 52 to sethours, and/or press minute pushbutton 54 to set minutes. When finished,press set pushbutton 50 and a second weekday cycle is programmed similarto above, then a first weekend cycle, then a second weekend cycle. Ifany of these cycles are not desired then set pushbutton 50 twice afterprogramming the previous cycle. After being programmed in this manner,the motor 28 is energized to open the louvers 24 at the OPEN time andenergized to CLOSE the louvers at the close time. To keep the louvers 24always closed, press and hold minute pushbutton 54 for two seconds. Tohold the louvers open, press and hold hour pushbutton 52 for twoseconds. On the next programmed open or close cycle, the module willresume its preprogrammed schedule. The time control module 34 programcan be suspended by pressing and holding hour pushbutton 52 and minutepushbutton 54 at the same time for 2-3 seconds and the program will besuspended. To resume the program, press and hold hour pushbutton 52 andminute pushbutton 54 at the same time for 2-3 seconds and the programmedsettings will be restored and the unit will function normally.

The programmable vent 20 can be in wireless communication withtemperature sensor/transmitter 94, in which case, programmable vent 20additionally includes an antenna 96 and receiver 98 for sensing,receiving and demodulating wireless signal 100 from temperaturesensor/transmitter 94. Temperature sensor/transmitter 94 includes atemperature sensor such as a thermocouple or thermistor, or othertemperature sensors. Additionally, temperature sensor/transmitter 94includes an antenna and transmitter for broadcasting wireless signal100. Wireless signal 100 is typically a wireless electromagnetic signal;however, wireless signal 100 can be other types of signals such asultrasonic, or conducted electromagnetic signals through wires, fiberoptics, coaxial cable, network cable, etc. Additionally, wireless signal100 can include various spectrums of electromagnetic signals such asradio, microwave, millimeter wave, infrared and other electromagneticspectrums. Wireless signal 100 includes temperature data relative toambient temperature conditions in the near vicinity of temperaturesensor/transmitter 94. Programmable vent 20 can use this data totemperature override the timed opening and closing of programmable vent20. For example, if programmable vent 20 is not scheduled to open until5:00 pm, but the room temperature falls below a setpoint overridetemperature of 50° F. for example, which is sensed by temperaturesensor/transmitter 94, the louvers open allowing air to exitprogrammable vent 20. Alternatively, temperature sensor/transmitter 94can be part of controller module 34 with the temperature input conductedto controller unit 38 via metal conductors, fiber optics, etc., in whichcase there is no need for the various antennas, and wirelesstransmitter/receiver pair.

Similarly, programmable vent 20 can include an infraredsensor/transmitter 102 providing an infrared input 100 to, and which issensed by, controller module 34. Infrared sensor 102 can include aninfrared sensor such as a pyroelectric detector, or other infraredsensors. Additionally, infrared sensor 102 includes an antenna andtransmitter for broadcasting infrared input 100, which may haveattributes similar to wireless signal 100. Wireless signal 100 includesinfrared data relative to ambient infrared conditions in the nearvicinity of infrared sensor 102. Wireless signal 100 can be emitted fromtemperature sensor/transmitter 94 and/or infrared sensor/transmitter 102and can include the associated temperature and/or infrared input.Programmable vent 20 can use this data to override the timed opening andclosing of programmable vent 20. For example, if programmable vent 20 isnot scheduled to open until 5:00 pm, but infrared sensor 102 detects thepresence of infrared energy indicative of a person walking into theroom, controller module 34 can use this information to override theprogrammed event, open the louvers allowing air to exit programmablevent 20. As with temperature sensor/transmitter 94, infrared sensor 102can be part of control module 34, providing a conducted input to thecontroller module.

In alternative embodiments, the present invention can include differenttypes of louver options such as hinged louvers, sliding louvers, flip uplouvers, or other types of louvers. For example, the programmable ventaccording to the present invention can include a sliding louverarrangement which includes a fixed aperture plate, a sliding louver andactuators in the form of push-pull solenoids which slide the slidinglouver relative to the fixed aperture plate. Such a programmable ventcan include a housing, a controller and circuit board with othercomponents, a display, and a user input device, and other elements, aspreviously discussed.

The present invention can include a low battery icon which will show ondisplay 48 when the batteries are running low, and controller module 34can include an annunciator which produces a periodic audible signal, forexample, every 40 seconds.

The present invention saves energy by closing vents in areas of abuilding where heating or cooling is not needed at that time. However,for proper airflow heating and/or cooling system 10 needs some of thetotal register vents open when the system is operating. For example,vent 20 can be installed in multiple locations in a home, but a usermust count the total vents in the building/home and program them so thata minimum percentage, for example 60%, of all vents in the home are openwhen the heating or cooling system 10 is running. This percentage canvary depending on system 10 characteristics and the particular locationsof the programmed vents. Consequently, a system may need approximatelybetween 20% and 90% of the vents open at any given time, if system 10 isrunning.

While this invention has been described as having a preferred design,the present invention can be further modified within the spirit andscope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended tocover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using itsgeneral principles. Further, this application is intended to cover suchdepartures from the present disclosure as come within known or customarypractice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fallwithin the limits of the appended claims.

1. A programmable vent for a duct used with a building environmental airtemperature control system, said programmable vent comprising: a venthousing having a front face with an inset, said vent housing configuredto allow air flow from the duct; at least one louver movably connectedto said vent housing; an actuator connected to said at least one louver;a controller module removably attached to said vent housing andpositioned in said inset, said controller module connected to saidactuator when positioned in said inset.
 2. The programmable vent ofclaim 1, wherein said actuator includes an electric motor, saidcontroller module being electrically connected to said electric motorwhen positioned in said inset.
 3. The programmable vent of claim 1,wherein said controller module includes a circuit board with motorcontrols connected to said electric motor, further including a display,a user input device, batteries and associated wiring all electricallyconnected to said circuit board.
 4. A programmable vent for a duct usedwith a building environmental air temperature control system, saidprogrammable vent comprising: a vent housing configured to allow airflow from the duct; at least one louver movably connected to said venthousing; an electric motor connected to said at least one louver; afirst plurality of electrical terminals connected to said electric motorand fixedly connected to said vent housing; and a controller moduleremovably attached to said vent housing, said controller moduleincluding a controller housing and a controller unit within saidcontroller housing, said controller unit including a second plurality ofelectrical terminals resiliently contacting said first plurality ofelectrical terminals.
 5. The programmable vent of claim 4, wherein saidcontroller unit includes a circuit board with motor controls connectedto said second plurality of terminals.
 6. The programmable vent of claim5, wherein said controller module further includes a display, a userinput device, batteries and associated wiring all electrically connectedto said circuit board.
 7. The programmable vent of claim 4, wherein saidcontroller housing is in a snap fit arrangement with said vent housing.8. The programmable vent of claim 7, wherein said snap fit arrangementcomprises at least one resilient ramped projection connected to saidcontroller housing, and at least one detent in said vent housing, saidat least one resilient ramped projection insertable in a correspondingsaid at least one detent when said controller housing is in said snapfit arrangement with said vent housing.
 9. The programmable vent ofclaim 8, wherein said vent housing further includes a frame in whichsaid controller module is inserted, said frame includes at least oneaccess aperture for accessing said controller module.
 10. Theprogrammable vent of claim 4, further including a rack and pinion gearset connected between said electric motor and said at least one louver.11. The programmable vent of claim 10, wherein said rack and pinion gearset includes at least one pinion gear connected to a corresponding saidlouver and said motor, and a rack gear slidably connected to said venthousing.
 12. The programmable vent of claim 4, further including atemperature sensor providing a temperature input to said controllermodule, said controller module sensing said temperature input.
 13. Theprogrammable vent of claim 12, wherein said temperature sensor is inwireless communication with said controller module.
 14. The programmablevent of claim 4, further including an infrared sensor providing aninfrared input to said controller module, said controller module sensingsaid infrared input.
 15. The programmable vent of claim 14, wherein saidinfrared sensor is in wireless communication with said controllermodule.
 16. A building environmental air temperature control system,comprising: at least one of a heating system and a cooling system; atleast one duct connected to at least one of said heating system and saidcooling system; a programmable vent connected to a corresponding said atleast one duct, said programmable vent including: a vent housing throughwhich air flows from the duct; at least one louver movably connected tosaid vent housing; an electric motor connected to said at least onelouver; a first plurality of electrical terminals connected to saidelectric motor and fixedly connected to said vent housing; and acontroller module removably attached to said vent housing, saidcontroller module including a controller housing and a controller unitwithin said controller housing, said controller unit including a secondplurality of electrical terminals resiliently contacting said firstplurality of electrical terminals.
 17. The building environmental airtemperature control system of claim 16, wherein said controller unitincludes a circuit board with motor controls connected to said secondplurality of terminals.
 18. The building environmental air temperaturecontrol system of claim 17, wherein said controller module furtherincludes a display, a user input device, batteries and associated wiringall connected to said circuit board.
 19. The building environmental airtemperature control system of claim 16, wherein said controller housingis in a snap fit arrangement with said vent housing.
 20. The buildingenvironmental air temperature control system of claim 19, wherein saidsnap fit arrangement comprises at least one resilient ramped projectionconnected to said controller housing, and at least one detent in saidvent housing, said at least one resilient ramped projection insertablein a corresponding said at least one detent when said controller housingis in said snap fit arrangement with said vent housing.
 21. The buildingenvironmental air temperature control system of claim 20, wherein saidvent housing further includes a frame in which said controller module isinserted, said frame includes at least one access aperture for accessingsaid controller module.
 22. The building environmental air temperaturecontrol system of claim 16, further including a rack and pinion gear setconnected between said electric motor and said at least one louver. 23.The building environmental air temperature control system of claim 22,wherein said rack and pinion gear set includes at least one pinion gearconnected to a corresponding said louver and said motor, and a rack gearslidably connected to said vent housing.
 24. The building environmentalair temperature control system of claim 16, further including atemperature sensor providing a temperature input to said controllermodule, said controller module sensing said temperature input.
 25. Thebuilding environmental air temperature control system of claim 24,wherein said temperature sensor is in wireless communication with saidcontroller module.
 26. The building environmental air temperaturecontrol system of claim 16, further including an infrared sensorproviding an infrared input to said controller module, said controllermodule sensing said infrared input.
 27. The building environmental airtemperature control system of claim 26, wherein said infrared sensor isin wireless communication with said controller module.
 28. A method ofcontrolling air flow within a building environmental air temperaturecontrol system, comprising the steps of: providing a programmable ventincluding housing having a front face with an inset, said vent housingconfigured to allow air flow from the duct, at least one louver movablyconnected to said vent housing, an actuator connected to said at leastone louver, a controller module removably attached to said vent housingand positioned in said inset, said controller module connected to saidactuator when positioned in said inset; removing said controller modulefrom said programmable vent; programming said controller module to openand close said at least one louver; reinstalling said controller moduleinto said programmable vent; and selectively controlling an air flowexiting said duct using said programmable vent.
 29. A programmable ventfor a duct used with a building environmental air temperature controlsystem, said programmable vent comprising: a vent housing a fixedaperture plate connected to the vent housing, the fixed aperture plateincluding a plurality of apertures configured for accepting air flowthrough the vent housing from the duct; and at least one movableaperture plate connected to the vent housing and slidable relative tothe fixed aperture plate between an open position which substantiallyallows the air flow and a closed position which substantially restrictsthe air flow.
 30. The programmable vent of claim 29, wherein at leastone said movable aperture plate is horizontally slidable relative to thefixed aperture plate.
 31. The programmable vent of claim 29, furtherincluding an actuator connected to at least one movable aperture plate.32. The programmable vent of claim 31, further including a controllermodule attached to the vent housing the controller module forcontrolling the actuator.
 33. The programmable vent of claim 31, furtherincluding a rack and pinion gear set connected between the actuator andat least one said movable aperture plate.
 34. A programmable vent for aduct used with a building environmental air temperature control system,said programmable vent comprising: a vent housing; a fixed ventilationelement connected to the vent housing; at least one movable ventilationelement connected to the vent housing and movable relative to the fixedventilation element; and a rack and pinion gear set connected betweenthe at least one movable ventilation element and the vent housing. 35.The programmable vent of claim 34, further including an actuatorconnected to at least one ventilation element.
 36. The programmable ventof claim 35, wherein the rack and pinion gear set includes a rack gearand a pinion gear, the rack gear being connected to at least one of theactuator and the vent housing, the pinion gear being connected to theother of the actuator and the vent housing.